Sukanta Kishore Mohanty
Dr. Manokombu Sambasivam Swaminathan is a world famous Agricultural Scientist. He is unique in his line of educational research and had always a concern for poor man’s meal.
Dr. Swaminathan was born on 7th August, 1925 at Kumbhokonam, the then Madras province, presently in Tamilnadu. He was the second son of his parents, Dr. M. K. Sambasivam and Mrs. Paravati Thangammal Sambasivam. Although the family vocation was farming, his father by profession was a surgeon. When he was continuing his primary education, he lost his father at the age of eleven. Thereafter, his parental uncle, Mr. Narayan Swami looked after his studies.
During fourth decade of twentieth century, a severe famine took place in Bengal and there was a death toll of about 3 millions of people. The Bengal famine had given impetus to Dr. Swaminathan to have better understanding in Agriculture. For this reason, he joined in the Agriculture University of Madras, after completion of his Bachelor Degree in Zoology during the year 1944. After successful completion of Graduation in Agriculture, he was admitted into Indian Agriculture Research Institute (IARI) where he successfully completed Postgraduation with Cytogenetics Course in the year 1949.
Abandoning his selection in Indian Police Service (I.P.S.) in 1949, he left India availing a scholarship for research in Netherland. He carried out his research on wild species of Potato (Solanum tuberosum) in Wageningen, Agricultural University, Netherlands. After his successful achievement in his research, he joined in the plant-breeding Institute of Cambridge University. His hard work enable him to complete Ph.D. thesis within a period of two years and he was awarded a Doctorate Degree in 1952. Subsequently, he left for University of Wisconsin, U.S.A. for Post-Doctoral Research Work.
Although he was appointed as Faculty Member of that University, for his novel research work he left for India in 1954 and joined in Central Rice Research Institute (CRRI), Cuttack, the pioneer institute of Rice Research in India. The dedicated young scientist had God gifted qualities to adapt to the various environments and circumstances to achieve the fixed goal in life. During the short span of 12 years, he was able to reach the apex of the ICAR i.e. the post of Director General, Indian Council of Agriculture Research (ICAR). In fact, he is always remembered in our State of Odisha and specifically in Koraput, where he was able to investigate the origin of Rice cultivation, for which the Odias are proud of him.
During Indo-Pak War in 1965, our Country faced shortage of food grains. In addition to that, the then Prime Minister of India, Sj. Lalbahadur Sastri’s “Jai Jawan and Jai Kissan” slogan and his call to the people of India to observe fast on Monday night to tide over food shortage, prompted D.G., I.C.A.R. Dr. M. S. Swaminathan to do some wonderful research work on high yielding grain production which ushered in a revolutionary growth of farm production. Finally, he could achieve a lot in production of wheat under the active guidance of Noble laureate Dr. N. E. Borlaug. The “Mexico Bangar” wheat which was invented by Dr. Borlaug was introduced in India for better harvest. Besides, other high yielding varieties of wheat were also invented by Dr. M.S. Swaminathan, which were used by Indian farmers.
During, Rabi season, the introduction of “Tai Chunga” rice variety could yield better in our state and also in the neighbouring states, which supplemented the traditional rice in our country in a great way. Rational thinking and continuous research of Dr. Swaminathan made the country self sufficient in food grain production. So, the PL480 agreement with USA for supply of food grain was not at all necessary further. This was a turning point in national goal of food sufficiency.
This is how, the purpose of Green Revolution has been successfully achieved. Many of contemporaries considered Dr. Swaminathan as India’s father of “Green Revolution”. Subsequently, in 1980 he took over the charge of Principal Secretary of Agriculture Department in Government of India. Later he also successfully managed as Director General, International Rice Research Institute (IRRI), Philippines for a period of six years (1982-1988).
In the year 1987, the Food and Agricultural Organization (FAO) awarded him “World Food Prize” which is equivalent to the prestigious Nobel Prize. Dr. Swaminathan got a series of awards like Padmashree (1967), Padmabhusan (1972), and Padmabibhusan (1989), in recognition of his valuable services in the field of Agriculture and Research. World famous “Time Magazine” included his name along with other twenty famous persons of the world, which include Mahatma Gandhi and R.N. Tagore of India.
Since 1988, a Trust has been established in the name of Dr. M.S. Swaminathan, to work in rural areas in the field of sustainable development of Agriculture. During 2014, a conference was successfully organized at Chennai from 7th August to 10th August for the period of four days, observing this year as International Year for Family Farming (IYFF). This conference has been assisted by FAO along with many National and International Organisations. The thought of Mahatma Gandhi on development of rural and urban folk, emphasis focus on all round development of Family and thus is possible through the Green Revolution, White Revolution, and Blue Revolution. The whole process has to percolate to both urban and rural families.
To achieve the above goal all the families of country from rich to poor should involve themselves in the process of Agriculture and allied agriculture, for which this year has been designated as I.Y.F.F. The trust will support and add impetus to this changed process, which with active participation of all, chances of people will hopefully go a long way in maneuvering malnutritional problems in the country. With a view to providing food to all the citizens of India and rest of the World, a plan of action decided by the M.S. Swaminathan Foundation Trust should be followed meticulously.
Plot No. – 1340/7D, Sector – 9,
C.D.A., Markat Nagar, Cuttack – 14
Phone: 9437490564
